Each year, on 7th May, SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda commemorates children and staff victims of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.
The 30th Commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi was held at SOS Children’s Village in Gikongoro located in Nyamagabe District in the Southern province and began with the laying of wreaths at Murambi Genocide Memorial, a burial that serves as a final, dignified resting place for approximately 50,000 victims from the surrounding area including children from SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda.
In her testimony, genocide survivor Juliette Mukakabanda reflected the harsh situation of children and staff during this terrible period.
She thanked SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda for its effort to continue supporting vulnerable children. She said, “After the Genocide against Tutsi, SOS Children’s Villages took care of many children who lost their parents and families, all of them are now grown up and became men and women.”
Cissy Uwamahoro, Head of Finance and Gender Equality who represented SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda at the 30thcommemoration, explained that the country’s tragic past should be effectively taught to the younger generations especially the Genocide against Tutsi to confront the consequences of the Genocide against Tutsi and prepare them for a bright future.
Cissy said, “ Commemorating the Genocide against Tutsi is important, we don’t do it because we want to wake our emotions, but we commemorate for so many reasons, among them to honour and pay respect our children, our family members who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Commemorating is also a moment to learn about our children’s and the Nation’s well-being. ”
Agnes Uwamariya Vice Mayor of Social Affairs of Nyamagabe District took the time to explain the history of Rwanda before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and how it was stopped. She also emphasised the importance of “knowing our history and fighting those who deny the Genocide against the Tutsi.”
On the night of May 7-8, 1994, during the Genocide against the Tutsi, an awful attack occurred against Tutsi children hosted at the SOS Children’s Village in Gikongoro in Nyamagabe district.
The Village hosted many children who lost Parental care in the SOS Children’s Village Gikongoro.
Interahamwe militia identified Tutsi children and ruthlessly murdered them on a fateful night.
Approximately six children fell victim to the attackers that night.
Following the massacre of the children, the assailants mercilessly targeted Tutsi staff members of SOS Children’s Village in Gikongoro who were on duty. Among them, security guard Nyirimirera lost his life. The attackers invaded his home, brutally murdering his wife and four children.
In 100 days, 1,000,000 Tutsis lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi in Rwanda. Each year, Rwanda is commemorated under the theme Remember – Unite – Renew.